Mark Twain tried to surf. He failed miserably, downed a mouthful of sand and a nose full of salt water, and crawled back up a Hawaiian beach uttering the words, "None but the natives ever master the art of surf-bathing thoroughly."
Twain was a kook, an inexperienced or irresponsible surfer. He never got over it.
But if he were alive today, Twain could pick up a copy of Jason Borte's new book, "The Kook's Guide to Surfing," for just $19.95 and learn everything there is to know about overcoming "kook-dom" and mastering the waves.
"Jason Borte is something rare: a world-class surfer who writes and rides waves. He's also a gentleman, which means this book is infused with his compassionate sensibility," insists former Surfer magazine Editor Steve Hawk.
"I know many longtime surfers who'd benefit from reading it."
While The Kook's Guide to Surfing is primarily a how-to for would-be surfers, it contains pertinent information for experienced wave-riders as well, including a section on etiquette and layman descriptions of the most popular on-board maneuvers.
"One of the wittiest, most insightful voices in surfing is at it again," boasts big-wave legend and former Surfing magazine Editor Evan Slater.
"An essential read for kooks and kings alike."
Utilizing his background as a schoolteacher and surf instructor, Borte manages to deliver his message in a way that is humorously entertaining while simultaneously packed with vital tips.
"The Kook's Guide to Surfing" is no joke; it's soon to be regarded as required reading for every person with hopes of gaining competence on a surfboard.
If this book does not make you a better surfer, nothing will.
Borte's first book, the Kelly Slater bio Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey, appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List for hardcover nonfiction.
A former editor for Surfer, Surfing, Explorations, and Swell.com, his articles have appeared in every major surfing publication.
Most recently, his work appeared in The Mountain and the Wave: The Quiksilver Story (2006), The Best of Surfer Magazine (2007), and Pipeline: The World's Most Respected Wave (2008).
A professional surfer since the 1980s, he earned the title of East Coast Champion in 1997.
He holds a Master's Degree in Education and has operated The Surf School since 1997, whereby he has personally taught thousands of people to enjoy the sport of Hawaiian kings.
Buy "The Kook's Guide to Surfing."